ESPN tabs Demond Williams Jr. as potential Heisman Trophy candidate

The Washington Huskies have one of the nation's top quarterbacks heading into the 2026 season in Demond Williams Jr., and head coach Jedd Fisch has made no secret that he believes the junior can contend for the Heisman Trophy.

In an article detailing the top contender for a major award on every team in the top 25, ESPN's Kyle Bonagura agreed with Fisch's sentiment, naming Williams as a potential Heisman contender this fall.

"If there is anything Heisman voters love, it's a dual-threat quarterback, and Williams fits the bill," Bonagura wrote. "He threw for 3,065 yards with 25 touchdowns last season to go along with 611 yards and six scores rushing. Let's say he throws for 500 more yards in 2026 than last season and runs for 300 more -- both reasonable increases -- and the Huskies make a playoff push. That recipe could get Williams to New York."

The most important piece of that recipe now for Williams will be finding a way to take a step forward in the biggest moments. Three of Washington's four losses in 2025 came against teams that finished the year ranked in the AP Top 25, and in the four defeats, Williams threw for just 645 yards and 3 touchdowns with 6 interceptions, while he mustered just 40 yards on the ground.

According to ESPN's rankings, the Huskies will have some tough matchups to overcome. Washington is set to take on the No. 2 Oregon Ducks, No. 6 Indiana Hoosiers, No. 15 Penn State Nittany Lions, No. 20 USC Trojans, and No. 23 Iowa Hawkeyes.

"We say competitive greatness is being at your best when your best is needed," Fisch said on the Big Ten Network of Williams' performance in big games. "It's really something we heavily believe in, and we need D to be his best in the biggest games this year. He's an elite player, I think he has a chance to do everything and anything you could ever possibly want, so we've got to make sure he does it at that highest level in the biggest games."